West Haven, CT Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Chapter 173 of the West Haven Code, Pawnshops, was adopted by the City Council on 6-10-1996 by Ord. No. 357. Section 173-1 bars anyone from loaning money on the pledge of wearing apparel, jewelry, ornaments, household goods or other personal property, or purchasing such property on condition of selling it back at a stipulated price, unless first licensed as a pawnbroker. Loans on intangible property are excepted.

Zoning comes first. Under § 173-2 the license is subject to a special permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of West Haven, and that special permit is a condition precedent to filing the license application. Under § 173-3 the Chief of Police, with the approval of a majority vote of the Police Commissioners, grants licenses to suitable persons and can revoke them for cause. The fee is $50, then $25 per year for renewal, and the applicant files a bond with competent surety in the sum of $2,000. Each license designates the place of business, lasts one year unless sooner revoked, and is personal, so it cannot be assigned or delegated.

Operating rules follow. The license stays on public display (§ 173-4). The holder must be at least 18 years of age and must not have been convicted of any criminal offense. A current employee list goes to the Chief of Police at least semi-annually. The pawnbroker keeps a book furnished by the Chief of Police, written in English, describing each pledged article by serial number, with the pledgor's identity and the day and hour received, and gives the pledgor a memorandum at no charge. A sworn statement of the week's transactions is due at the Chief of Police's office each Monday no later than 12:00 noon.

Business hours are limited to after 8:00 a.m. and before 8:00 p.m. (§ 173-5). Monthly interest is capped at 5% on $15 or less, 3% above $15 through $50, and 2% above $50, and the rates must be displayed (§ 173-6). Pledges are held at least six months, and sales need a newspaper advertisement at least two days before (§ 173-7). A notice must state that no one under 18 can pawn or sell items, and sellers need photo identification (§ 173-8).